Common Hand and Wrist Injuries and Deformities

Ape hand

A condition characterized by the inability to oppose the thumb.

Bishop's deformity

A hand deformity where the ring and little fingers are flexed at the proximal interphalangeal joints.

Claw hand

A hand deformity resulting from ulnar nerve damage, causing hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joints.

Dupuytern's contracture

A condition that causes thickening and shortening of the tendon, leading to finger flexion.

Swan-neck deformity

A finger deformity characterized by hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joint and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint.

Volkmann's ischemic contracture

A condition resulting from insufficient blood supply to the forearm muscles, leading to muscle necrosis and contracture.

Ganglion cyst

A fluid-filled sac that forms on a joint or tendon, commonly seen on the wrist.

Subungual hematoma

A collection of blood underneath a toenail or fingernail, often due to trauma.

Jersey finger

An injury where the flexor tendon of the finger is ruptured, preventing finger flexion.

Mallet finger

A condition where the distal phalanx cannot be extended due to a ruptured extensor tendon.

Boutonnière deformity

A finger deformity characterized by flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint and extension at the distal interphalangeal joint.

Wrist sprain

An injury to the ligaments in the wrist due to overstretching or tearing.

Injury to the TFCC

An injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex, which can cause wrist pain and instability.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

A condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to pain and numbness in the hand.

Colle's fracture

A fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal angulation. Causes wrist to go into extension.

Smith's fracture (reverse Colle's)

A fracture of the distal radius with palmar angulation. Causes wrist to go into flexion.

Scaphoid fracture

A fracture of the scaphoid bone in the wrist, often due to a fall on an outstretched hand.
Pain in snuff box, ulnar deviation, decreased ability to pinch.

Hamate fracture

A fracture of the hamate bone in the wrist, often associated with sports injuries.

Preiser's disease

A condition involving avascular necrosis of the scaphoid bone.

Perilunate and lunate dislocation

Dislocations involving the lunate bone of the wrist, often resulting from trauma.
Pain along radial wrist, obvious deformity,

Kienbock's disease

A condition characterized by avascular necrosis of the lunate bone.

Metacarpal fx (Boxer's fx)

A fracture of the metacarpal bones, commonly occurring from punching.

de Quervain's syndrome

A condition causing pain in the wrist and thumb due to inflammation of the tendons.
Pain on the radial side.

UCL sprain of the thumb

A sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament at the base of the thumb, often from a fall.
Decreased grip strength.

Phalange fractures and dislocations

Injuries involving fractures or dislocations of the finger bones.